Statement about restricted breeds/dog control

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council advised the pound operator in June that all restricted breeds entering the pound from the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area were not to be re-homed.  The decision was made by the management in the Dog Control Section of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, following the recent attack by restricted breed dogs that resulted in a fatality and following an increase in reported attacks by restricted breeds and in the number of stray and surrendered restricted breeds across the County.

Section 16 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as amended, which sets out the powers of the dog warden to seize a stray or accept a surrendered dog, also permits the destruction of the dog by a local authority. In addition, the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998, sets out the list of types of dogs that have additional conditions attached to them; this list is referred to as the restricted breeds list and it includes several bully breeds. As this is the only legislation that differentiates all restricted breeds from other dogs, the decision was made to specify only these dogs as unsuitable for rehoming. One XL Bully dog was put to sleep during this time following an attack on a person and one one was a shepherd cross breed that was surrendered due to behavioural problems.  Our pound endeavours to re-home all other healthy dogs.

Following Minister Heather Humphreys announcement on the 12 July regarding XL bully dogs, we are now reviewing the position on the inclusion of all restricted breeds. 

We have advised the pound that no further dogs are to be put to sleep until this review takes place. We are taking this opportunity to reassess our policies and ensure that we are making decisions in the best interest of all dogs in our care.

Further information can be found here.